Keble : "We Have No Ethics Policy On Holding Conferences For Arms Dealers"
Keble College chapel : Over the vacation the college held a conference for arms makers.
Keble College has come under fire from students after hosting the 2005 ‘Gun Tubes’ conference over the Easter vacation. Sponsors of the conference, which investigated developments in the mechanics and materials of gun tube design, included the controversial UK arms manufacturer BAE systems – which supplies arms to numerous regimes around the world, including the despotic Saudi Arabian administration.
Another sponsor, the South African firm Denel, is currently being investigated by the country’s antiorganised crime and corruption unit, the Scorpians. Student Union Ethics Committee Chairman, Tom Dale, said: “Many of the sponsors, including BAE systems, have unambiguously appalling Human Rights records”. “Endorsing these companies, and their dubious trade, is unnecessary for such a wealthy institution – one which purports to exist for the general good of society”.
When asked by The Oxford Student whether it has a vetting procedure for potential conference organisers, a Keble spokesperson said: “when we receive a booking we don’t ask… the College doesn’t enquire.” Domestic Bursar Janet Betts admitted Keble does not have an ethical policy regarding conferences at present. “There would be no practical way of vetting companies … no college could possibly do this,” she said.
Keble JCR President Mohsin Zaidi said he had arranged a meeting with the Bursar to discuss the matter further.
21st Apr 2005